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Australia fight back on second day

Australia players celebrate taking the wicket of Umar Gul during the second day's play in Sydney.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Pakistan hold a 204-run lead with one wicket in hand at the end of day two of the second Test in Sydney

Australia took seven for 141 in the final session to limit the damage after the tourists were 205 for two at one stage

Pakistan reached 331 for nine at stumps in reply to Australia's meagre total of 127 all out

(CNN) -- Pakistan hold a 204-run lead with one wicket in hand at the end of day two of the second Test after a late Australia rally at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The hosts took seven for 141 in the final session to at least limit the damage after the tourists were 205 for two at one stage.

Pakistan, who resumed on Monday on 14 without loss in reply to Australia's meagre total of 127, reached 331 for nine at stumps with last pair Danish Kaneria (two) and Mohammad Asif (nought) at the crease on what is now a beautiful batting deck.

Faisal Iqbal (27) was the first to fall after tea -- victim of a wonderful Shane Watson catch. He slashed at a wide delivery from Peter Siddle and Watson, back-pedalling furiously, took a terrific catch at deep point.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf (46) was next to go with the score on 236 -- this time Brad Haddin pulling off a brilliant catch.

The wicketkeeper stretched high and wide to his right to accept a one-handed snare, giving Mitchell Johnson his second scalp.

Umar Akmal was typically frenetic in clubbing nine fours in his 48-ball 49 before Doug Bollinger trapped him lbw, albeit after the decision was referred to the third umpire.

Bollinger soon had his second wicket with the second new ball as Misbah-Ul-Haq (11) edged to Haddin.

He grabbed a third scalp when Watson at deep point held onto a catch from the dangerous Kamran Akmal (14) to leave the visitors 295 for seven.

Umar Gul (12) and Mohammad Sami (12) also fell before the close, both to Watson for 12, as Australia battled back into contention.

Earlier, Imran Farhat brought up his 13th Test half-century off the second delivery of the post-lunch session but soon found himself back in the pavilion for 53.

Having lived dangerously for the majority of his 188-minute stay, the left-hander's luck ran out when he top-edged an attempted sweep off Nathan Hauritz to Haddin, who accepted a simple catch.

Salman Butt guided the visitors past Australia's total but was fortunate to survive soon after when he edged Johnson just over North's outstretched hand at first slip.

Johnson soon had his man, though, when Butt attempted an off drive without any notable foot movement and only succeeded in edging to Haddin for 71.